Leicester is one of the worst cities in the UK for 'period poverty', according to campaigners.

New research shows that on average, 27 per cent of women and girls in the UK are unable to afford menstrual products.

However in Leicester, this figure rises to over one third (35 per cent) of women and girls.

Of those who had experienced period poverty throughout the country, more than a third (38 per cent) said that they regularly bled through their clothes during their period.

A further 68 per cent said they have had to use a makeshift period product, and almost half have worn menstrual products for longer than they should have.

27 per cent of women and girls in the UK are unable to afford menstrual products (Image: Getty Images/Science Photo Libra)

Over a quarter of schoolgirls and women affected even said they have missed school or work because they've been unable to afford the right protection.

The survey also highlighted embarrassment around periods, including almost two thirds (65 per cent) of all people saying that they felt uncomfortable talking about them in general.

Half of respondents said they would describe periods as unpleasant or disgusting, and half of men said that they would never buy period products for their partners.

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The survey was held by Ginger Comms, and campaigners the Bloody Big Brunch and Hey Girls.

The organisations are now coming together to tackle period poverty with their 'Big Bloody Brunch' on Sunday 3 March.

Billed as 'the UK's biggest-ever brunch', the event aims to tackle the issue of period poverty by not only reducing embarrassment around periods, but also by making it easy to send menstrual products to where they’re needed most.